Margaret Bromley's killer given 20 year jail sentence

A CAREER criminal who killed an elderly woman with blows from a tomahawk after she disturbed him robbing her house will spend at least the next 20 years in prison.

Colin Peter Casey, 52, had earlier admitted to murdering 73-year-old grandmother Helen Bromley at her Mandurah home, south of Perth, on October 8, 2010 after he was caught attempting to steal money to feed his $250-a-day methylamphetamine habit.

WA's Supreme Court was told when Casey was confronted by Mrs Bromley on her patio, he panicked, picked up the nearby axe and smashed her in the back of the head twice.

But despite her injuries, Casey merely covered her body with carpet mats and continued to steal jewellery before fleeing.

Her lifeless body remained there until she was discovered by members of her family some 36 hours later.Casey remained on the run for 11 months, and even did an interview with a local newspaper complaining about escalating violence in the area when he was the victim of a robbery himself.

But he was caught after police intercepted a phone call between Casey and a woman, in which he admitted the offence and threatened the woman with reprisals if she betrayed him.

Justice Eric Heenan said the level of violence used to kill Mrs Bromley was compounded by Casey's lack of remorse at the time, and since.

"The offender's lack of concern for the dying victim is a stark demonstration of inhumane and selfish disregard,'' Justice Heenan said.

"There was no concern for her welfare, and little, if any, appreciation of the enormity of the violence used or its consequences.''

Outside court, Mrs Bromley's granddaughter Rachel Dawe said the death of the elderly woman had devastated the family.

"It has torn us apart. Especially as the older generation should be the most respected in our society,'' Ms Dawe said.

"Drugs are never an excuse for this sort of crime, at all.''

Justice Heenan said Casey should not be released for 20 years, with the sentence backdated until September 2011.